I just jumped into a 99' 1.8Tqms purchased from Leith Audi in Cary, NC. I was wondering if anyone else out there has a car from them and if so if they know what their position on chipping a car is in concerns to the waranty.<p>Been smiling for two straight weeks... :)<p>Jake

Jake,<br>I know a couple of other Audi owners who patronize Leith but I personally don't know about their policy toward chipping. Since I'm not really prepared to bash them publicly, I can tell you some good and bad off line if you wish.<br>Still grinning after 6 months!<br>Clair 98.5 2.8 FWD MAN

Just read your note on the internet. What is chipping? I have just ordered an Audi A4 from a Calif. dealer but they say it will take 2-3 months. I am waiting anxiously. Please let me know about "chipping", thanks. Karen

Congratulations!!!!!<p> I know exactly how you feel, I've had my 2.8 Q Tip for about nine months now and I'm as excited as I was back then.Sorry I can't tell you any info on Leith Audi's views since mine was purchased from McKenna in Norwalk.

When I bought my Avant QMS from Leith last June, I mentioned the chipping issue to my salesguy who told me, outright, that chipping would void the warranty. Since I'm driving the 2.8 30V, chipping wasn't something I was considering.<p>However, I believe someone posted here earlier this year that Leith service *is* chip-friendly (I think it was Rich Quinlan down in Fayette-nam.) You might try an archive search.<p>J.Russ<br>Smilin' in Durham in a pelican blue Avant QMS

Jake<br>Congratulations on your car! I'm sure you will love it! I've had mine for about 8 months now and like it more every day.<br>My personal experience with Leith was so bad I went to NJ to buy the car from somebody I trusted. Nonetheless I have to take my car there for service so I have to deal with them on occasion. On chipping in particular, I onced asked the service manager a "hypothetical question" (over the phone) and his flat response was it would void all warranties. It has been my experience that Leith is not after-market friendly.<br>Have fun with the car!!!<p>MikeS 98 1.8T qms<p>

Basically, "chipping" your car entails replacing the stock computer processor (the brain of your engine that controls all main systems -- particularly the turbo) with a high-performance chip tuned to maximize the horsepower output of the engine. <p>A high-performance chip (from Neuspeed, Wett, etc.), in addition to a modified air filter and exhaust, can boost the stock 150-bhp 1.8T engine to approximately 200 bhp or more. Obviously, increasing the output by ~33% over factory specs raises substantive warranty issues.<p>Chipping a 2.8-litre 30V has a much less pronounced increase in HP.<p>There is TONS more on this in the archives.

I have had my car chipped since 1,000 miles (October '97). I now have 29,600 on it, and they never gave me grief about the chip. HOWEVER, I had a problem with a MIL lamp that affected driveability, and had all kinds of short-to-ground DTC's, and when they traced it to the ECU, they voided the warranty on the ECU. I unerstand that. (Hoppen had me a new ECU THE NEXT DAY at 10am--good service after the sale!!) However they (Leith) made me pay for the labor to diagnose the problem, which worked out to $90-. Ouch.<p> Overall, I can't say I've been very impressed with their service after Fred Vatter left. (Fred was their Service manager, who now is manager at Kenny Hawkins Automotive, a TOP-NOTCH body shop in Cary) When they wash it (even though I bring it there clean) they don't dry it, so there's water spots ALL over the car, and there is always oil residue on my valve cover cover from where the tech spilled Mobil 1 on it while filling.<p> I dunno.. i have mixed opinions about it, but at least they give NICE loaner cars for us. I had a Volvo S70 last time, and will go for the Tahoe this time. I'd imagine the situation will improve as they get more techs, since I'm sure they are very rushed at the moment. However, if I was to rush an inspection on my helicopter and did a messy job, WE can't just pull over to the next cloud for repairs, and that's the way I treat any work on my car as well. Maybe that's why I'm not satisfied..I'm too anal?<p> Hope this helps a bit... In a nutshell, they won't say anything about a chip, but if there is a repair involving the ECU, I'd watch out.<p>Rich Quinlan<br>Nowhere near stock 1.8tqms in Pearl<br><ul><li><a href="http://home.att.net/~richquinlan">Quinland</a></li></ul>

I'm interested in how you wangled a Volvo loaner off Leith. My "free" loaner is always some boring sled from Enterprise Rent-A-Car -- Riviera (bad), Grand Vitara (a tin can with the poorest excuse for a V6 I've ever driven) and a Grand Caravan (actually, the nicest of the three) -- for which I have to give my credit card # and a blood sample (to say nothing of the arm-twist to buy the $8 "supplemental" insurance.) The whole experience leaves me with a bad taste in my mouth.<p>I always got a free Acura loaner when my Integra GS-R sedan was in the shop. I wonder: If I bitch loud enough, will Leith relent with the rental loaners?<p>Mybe there's a method to the madness; Each one of these "loaners" makes me realize how much I appreciate my Avant.<p>Best,<p>J.Russ<br>Totally stock Avant QMS

For the air intake screen recall, I got an Enterprise Dodge Neon!!!! I thought maybe it was just me, because I wasn't willing to wait for the fix and it was supposedly a bad day for the Enterprise availability situation. In fact, Enterprise offered to upgrade me<br>the next time if I called in ahead of time. I also found the push for the supplemental insurance rake distasteful. I really expected a loaner from the pitch my salesman gave me when I bought the car. Will be interesting to see what I get when I go back for my regular service. I mean, a lot of people think I am a nice guy, but too much of this kind of nonsense can push me over the top.<br>Clair 98.5 2.8 FWD MAN

Unfortunately Leith is the only dealer around for service...but i will never buy a car there or any Raleigh area dealer...mainly because they won't even talk to me when i come in (i'm 23) and because they wouldn't budge on the price of an A4 when i was shopping for mine...so i went to atlanta and got a great deal...<p>Rich, how do you get the great loaners?? I got a base model Maxima (automatic) when i had the recall work done...<p>you're right about Mr. Vatter, he's a great guy and Kenny Hawkins Automotive does great work....remember that day when we met there by chance?<p>BTW...have you gotten any track time yet or gone to an autoX (where you could actually get your car to the course)??<p>David White 98 2.8qm